Fluid-metering system.



G. G. EARL 6c A. B. WOOD.-

FLUID METERING SYSTEM. APPLICATIUN FILED FEB. 3. 19m.

` Patented Jan. 9, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

G. G. EARL di A. B. WOOD.

FLUID METERNG SYSTEM, APPucATloN mso fea. 3. w12.

Patented Jan. 9, 1917.

l 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

/nvnors l Qeorge G. far! *MM/WL B (Il G. EARL & A. B. WOUD.

' FLlHD METEBING SYSTEM.

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GEORGE GOODELL EARL AND ALBERT BALDWIN WOOD, 0F NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA.

FLUIDfMETERING SYSTEM.

Speccation of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 9, 1917.

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that we, and ALBERT B. Woon, citizens of the United States. residing at New Orleans, in the parish of Orleans and State of Louisiana, have invented certain new an'd useful Improvements in Fluid-Meterin Systems; and we do hereby declare the fo lowing to be a full, lclear, and exact description of our invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use .the same.

The invention of this 'application is an improvement on the device illustrated and described in the application of George G. Earl and Albert B. Wood,'#638,047, filed July 12, 1911. l

In general the object of this invention is the production of mechanism for accurately measuring the flow of fluids through lluid ducts or mains.

One of the particular objects of this in vention is to rovide means for measuring the ilow of nids in conduits by causing a constant percentage of this flow to be accurately measured, thereby obtaining a measure of the entire flow. It is desired to do this with the least possible obstruction or loss of pressure to the main flow. Meters which aim to accomplish this result are generally inaccurate or fail to register at all on small flows, or else cause too much loss of pressure on large Hows. Where it is desired under certain conditions to measure very small flows or leaks, ,this may be done directly by means of another meter, though this is not an essential feature of our invention. Former types of meters are likely to become obstructed by trash. and another object of our invention is to provide a meter4 whichV cannot he thus ohstructcd. By our invention we provide means for successfully accomplishing these results. The'device ol our invention also the flow when the from the condition flow passes to the normal is to hc mechanism is changing under which the small condition under which the passed.

ln the above, the fluid to he passed through the meter is taken oli'l at the normal pressure inthc main. l'Ve heure found by increasing the/pressure at this point, the reading of GEORGE G. EARL Y invention of the application named the meter may be made more reliable, and we therefore provide means for this pur pose.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of means for removing all obstructions from the passage of water through the main during the larger flow.

In the device of the above named application the couple which resisted the movement of the main valve was decreased as the valve was opened. In this invention we have reversed this condition, and this couple now increases as the valve is opened, since We find that that method is better for the particular form of invention disclosed in this application.

Other objects of our invention itself will be best understood hy reference to the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying illustration, showing one specific embodiment of the invention, while its scope vvill be more particularly pointed out in the ap pended claims.

Figure l shows a diagram of a system with which our invention may be employed. Fig. Q is a side elevation of the apparatus to which our invention is applied in the particular forni shown. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. Q. Fig. i is a cross-sectidn taken through Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a section through the lines 5 ot' Fig. 4. Figs. 6 and 7 are details of the apparatus shown in the other figures.

Referring now to the drawings and to the forni of the invention shown therein` a source ol fluid pressure, such for example as a reservoir is shown at R. A source oi pressure is shown at i). ln the p-.irticular form of our invention shown`y we have illustrated at '10a iirc plugl and at 1l a supply pipe.` though it will he understood that these are incrciy illustrations, and in no way limit the invention. The sources ot' pressure are connected hy a fluid duct or nuun l2, which passes through a box ll. which we prefer invention and the to employ to house thc fluid controlling dcvice. il to thc source .l.

normally obstructed preferably by a vulve 20, hereafter known as the main valve.`

llus valve is preferably mounted in a chamber 2l, inside of the box 13, and between the entrance 15 and the exit 1li. The vulve is mounted in the hex to swing about a pivot. As shown. it is preferably pivotnlly connected at 23 to an arm 22, which is itself pivoted in the chamber. The valve 20 con; trols a pair of fluid controlling devices, such as valves, one of which is open when the other is closed, and each of whieh is being opened when the other is being closed.

duct 29 passes through the chamber 21, and the walls thereof at 30, 30. A hollow sleeve 31 fastened to the lever 22 is mounftr ed over this duc and rotates with the lever so that the sai lever may turn about the duet 29 as a pivot. The interior ot the duct is divided by a partition 32. 0n one side of this partition, the walls of the duct are4 pierced with en opening or a plurality of openings 33, and on the other side un opening or a plurality of openings 34. The sleeve 31 1s likewise pierced with corre sponding openings 35 on one side of the partition and 36 on the other; the two sets .33*35y being entirely open when the valve 20 is closed and the ow is small, and the set 34`36 being entirely open when the valve is entirely open. The main is tapped at 60 and a duct 40 leads therefrom to un orifice' 41. As shown, this is above the valve 20. A duct 61 leads from the orifice 41 to the ducts 41 and 42', which lead to the meters 42 and 62. he meter 42 is a direct reading meter of any suitable form, and the small flow passes through this meter through the duct `lf3 into the duct 29, through the openings therein and the sleeve 31 into the main hclow the 24 of the lever is pivotally connected at 25 to a link 26 which in turn is pivotnlly connerted at 27 to n piston 44, which acts as a, dash pot in the ehamher45 and iS nda ted to he reciprocated in the chamber, whic is irovided with the opening 46 for the adission of nir to the dash pot. The object of this apparatus is to offer n resistance to the movement of the main valve, and while we have rangement, it will be apparent that we may employ any convenient device for this pur- P099' One f the ob'ects which we aina to realize and which is effected by the form of apparatus shown, is the creation of n' chan in pressure on the end of the arm 24 when the pressure in the main is changed As the piston is drawn downward in its chamber, it will he seen that the end of the lim: 26 will he moved away from the axis about 'which the arm 24 rotates, thus increasing the couple at the end, whereas as the valve 2O swings outward, the pressure on the face will he `expansion of enlargement screen 52 is placed. This main valve. The other end i shown the well known dash pot ar` portional meter will be ofA the valve will he decreased, thus decreas-V mg the pressure. at that end. 'It will else be seen that in the arrangement of the np- RIH'MJUS, Shown, the main valve will be en tlrly removed from the main course of the 7o filmt, when it is open, and e'ven in interme- ,labe conditions, the position ofthe valve such that foreign matter passing therethrough will strike the valve at an an gie, and be deflected therefrom, so that noth- 7.5

mg will be caughtby the valve during an extraordinary emergency vflow. Means are provided for the increase of ressure in the moin at the orifice 60, and in t e form shown we employ an enlargement 50, though were contemplate the use of any device suitable. for this purpose... At the point of maximum we form an annular chamber 51 in the mouth of which a chamber comml'las. mentes with the duct 40, so that all foreign j substances-are kept out by the screen. The meter shown at 62 is apro ortional meter of any well known form,psu1tahle`for the purpose, and is connected .by a duct 4 'T90 with the duct 61 and by a duct 52 with -the duct 29.

The apparatus and the functions thereof may be best understood from the description of the operation .which is as follows: Assuming a small flow from the SourceS through the main to the supply ipe Il, this h flow entering at 15, will pass hrough the` duct 40, 41', the. d1rect vreadin meter 42, the duct 43, into one-.end of the snot 29, out loo through the opening therein, throughthe openingn the' sleeve 31, into the' chamber 21, out e 1e and to its destmnbn, through 14. y A pressure, of course-will be 'exerted against the face the main vaina,V but 10s this will not be effect of the dash there is a 'deman mand, for a large y assuma that perhaps a audclendon supply of water; unda-gf thesemilcumstances the pressure at Bwi'll 'i110 drop, so that the pressure upon. the Vtrim of the iston 44 and on the back oftho'valv'e 20 is ecreased. In conse uencs'tha main valve 20*begins to move an allows water to pass through the main atths point. 11e e main valva'moves, tha pxeningson one de ge the parltn virhicllalavehargtog ore n open n Y osa on the other4 side whirhav hithejltgibn Y closed begin to open, so that dulingthelgl change in position of the main valve from`- i the full line "to the dotted lineposition@y shown in Fig. 4, both meters will be regis tering. When the main valve reaches its full opening the openings 1n the sleeves control the passage through will be entirely closed and ings entirely open, so t 29.,.and 31 which the cli-rect meter the other openat now only the lo-iV Tl reading, since t ere 13h position shown in dotted lines;V

is no flow through the direct path. The path through the proportional meter carries a stream which is some known proportion of that which passes through the main, with a result that an accurate readin is given. We have found that a more reliable read ing is given iflthe pressure in the main is increased at the orifice of the path which leads through the proportional meter and as shown we have increased the diameter of the main atthat point for this purpose, preferahly using an enlargement. We have found that the best proportion between the cross section of the main at this orifice and the cross section at the valve is 8 to 3. though we do not wish to be limited to this. but may employ diameters at these points which shall insure. any suitable relation of cross-sectional areas. le prefer to arrange the parts so that one will exactly compensate for the other` and the couple. exerted on the valve will be substantially constant through its movement, but the invention is not` limited to such an arrangement. 'hen the lal'ge demand 4ceases and thc ma'in is closed or practically closed below the box 13, the Toter backs up in the pipe `14, now exerting u strong pressure against the bot-tom of the piston 44 which will close the valve Q0, the System thus being restored.

It will be understood that any suitable means may be used for providing the couple employed in the device. and that anv form ot valve Vor circuit controller may `heemploycd which is suitable for the purpose. and within thc scope of the claims. lt will also be obvious to those skilled in the art, that numerous and extensive departures from the forms and details here shown may be made without departing from the spirit of this invention, the same being shown solely for the purpose of clearly illustrating one spediti-embodiment of the i'nvenftion. claim: n 1.`\]'n a` device ofthe class described, the

' coniliination of aV fluid main. said mairrb'eing of greater cross section at one point than at anotlieiya source of ressureassociated with said main, a normal y partially closed main valve/in said maim'a path being provided for fluid around said valve adapted to conduct the small flow through said main, a meter for measuring the fluid flowing through said path, said, main valve controlling said path to close the sameas fthe m'ain valve opens, a second path hcingprovided around said valve. said second path bein normally partially closed andbeing control ed by said main valve, and opened thereby in vproportion as said 'main valve opens, and a meter for measuring the proportional flow through said second path.

2. Tn a' device of the clairs.y describedm fluid main, anorm ily partially closed main valve in said metil, puth being provided for fluid communicating with said main adapted to convey the small flow of said main around said main valve, said main being' expanded where said path communicates with it, a meter for measuring the fluid flowin through said path, said main valve contro ling said path to close the samoas the main valve opens, a second path being provided around said valve, said second path being Anormally partially closed, and controlled by said main valve and opened thereby in proportion as the main valve o ens, and a meter for measuring the proportional flow through said second path.

3. In combination, a fluid main, a source of pressure associated therewith, a main valve in said main, a plurality of paths bcing provided around said main valve, said main being enlarged where said paths are connected thereto, said paths being connected to the main where the enlargement is greatest, a meter in each path, and means controlled by said main valve governing the flow through said paths, one of said paths being opened ily-said main valve a's another is closed.

4. In combination. a fluid main, a source of pressure associated therewith there being an enlargement in said main, a main valve controlling the flow of fluid through said main. a path being provided communicating vv ith said main at the point of greatest enlargement. and shnntmg said mitin valve. a meter in said path. and means c0ntrolled by said main valve governing ,the flow through said path.

5. ln combination, a fluid main having an orifice therein, a source of pressure associated therewith, there being an enlar ement in said main. a main valve-controlling the flow through the orifice in said main, a plura-lityof ducts leading around said oriice, said duets heilig connected tosaid 'enlargement, meters in said duets, and means controlled bv said main valve governing the low through said paths, one of Said p'ttths being olpcned hyisald main valve as another is close 6. In a device of the class described, the i combination of a Huid marini n source of pressure associated therewith, there' being an enlargement in said mainl a main `valine beyond said enlar ement, ya. ductoonnected at one end to saidn enlargement where it `ia u maximum extending around said main valve `and rentering said main beyond said main valve, a meter in said duct and a second valve in said duct controlled by said l main valve; v

7. In t device of a@ am described,- tia rias combination et afluid manna sectionof 5nd mainhbeing formed by two frstoeioolf" shaped V, valve in said main, afluid` duct-connected parts .placed base tobase', l"

with said main in such sectionV and shunt- 4 misano said main valve, a meter in said duct an a valve in said duct controlled by said main valve.

\ 8. In a device of the class described, thel 9. Ina device of the class described, the combination of a main, there being an en- A largement in said main, walls forming an annular chamber in the side of said enlar ement, a'main valve controllin the flow of uid through said main, a fluid uct com- 2o` municating 'with said chamber, a meter. in

` said duct,` and a valve in saidd duct controlled 'by said main valve.

10. In a de ."ce .of the class described, the

combination of a fluid main, sources of pressure y'associated therewith, there being an enlargement in said main,4 walls forming an annular chamber in the side of said enlargement, a screen in the mouth ofv said chamber, a main valve controlling the flowv of fiuid `through said main, a fluid duct communicatng with said chamber at one end, and 'with said main on the other side of said main valve at the other end, a meter-in said duct, and a valve in said duct controlled by saidmain valve.

11. In a. device-of the class described, the combination of a fluid main having an orifice therein, a source of pressure associated therewith, a main valve lcontrolling the flow 40 of fluid in said main through said orifice, a plurality of paths being provided around sald orificefthere being a. difference in urea adjacentthe mouths of said paths to increase the 'pressure inthe mouths of said paths as .said main 4valve is opened, and a meter in one'of'said" aths. 4

12. n a" evite ofthe class described, the combination' offa Huid pressure' associated therewith, a main valve controlling said main, a plurality of paths being provided around said'mnin-valvmthhro boing;r a (litigi-once in area adjacent thel hsI to .increase the prvsrn'outhf'l: Voi sui( A ,sure in vt'hepjla i t the mouths of said paths v when siiclhil 'aire is opened, motors in amlmoans whereby said vmain l" the ilow fluid said paths.

.runnin valve in said main urccs of pressure, paths hcc, there` being 1n' dllercnco ofthe unmthsV of .said .paths hc pressure in thenmin at aid pathsya 4n'netenin each mein, a source of ainntioma Huid main 'having n 'kourcespf pressure usso- -path hein-,fr

vn l ve, a motti path, and a means' controlled bly said main valve overnin the iowthrou said paths. -14. n comb nation, 'a fluid main having an orifice thereln, sources of4 pressure aseociated therewith, a main valve in said main 'zo between said sources of pressure controllin said orifice, 'a path being ,rovided around said o tice, there being a` i'enenoe in area adjacent the mouths of said paths for increasing the (pressure in said main at the mouth of sai; path as said valve opens, a pro ortional meter in said path, and means coltrolled by said main valve governingthe How throughv said path.

15. In combination, a iiuidmain'having so an orifice therein', sources of pressure asso- 1 clated therewith, a main valve, controlling said orifice, normally in the line of direct flow through the main ybut adapted to be movedto' one side outof thel path of the 85 main flow of fluid through said main where,

by when the valve is opened the main flow is unobstructed a path being provided around said orifice, a proportional meter 1n saidA path and means controlled by said main 9o valve governin the How through said path. 16. In combination, a fluid main, sources o f pressure associated therewith, u main valve in said main normally partially closing the same, said valve adapted to be moved out of said main when operated, a plurality of paths being provided around said main `valve,lmeters in said paths and valves convtrolled by said main valve governing the flow of'luid through said paths. 10:1

V17.- In combination, a fluid main, sources of pressure `associated therewith, a main valve in said main-normally partially closing the same, said valve adapted to be moved out of said mainV when o erated, a plurality of paths being providedp around said main valve, meters in sadpaths and valves of the rotary type controlled by` said main valve governing the flow of fluid through en idpaths. K 4 11o 18. In combination, a fluid mail), sources o'fr pressure associated therewith, a mainV valve normally in said main and controlling the How of fiuid through said muin,-said' -valve adapted to'be moved from 4,thoemainria" valve governing-thc flowof duid-through?.12o

19.` In combination, a fluid main., Sgums of pressure associated thcrcwth,.'a 'mfiiiiw valve nsnhlmuima vpivot for said"ovaire"` outside of the main'path of theow through '125 Hah-I pivot, anillaV forming' a 'chairmen-.finto sie'. moved ul'lenifniaed 'rh ..1

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which sai-rl va .119mg venenoso "e y trolled by said main valve governing the flow of fluid through said path.

20. In combination, a fluid main', a, valve in said fluid main, a pivot for said valve to one side of the main path of flow through said main, an arm connecting said valve to said pivot. a dash [mha piston in said dash pot, a linlr connecting said iston to said arm, a path being provided) around said valve` menno to"mctcr the fluid (lowing through said path, and means governed by said valve for controlling the flow ol'fluid through said path.

21. In combination, a Huid main, sourc of fluid nessure associated with said main, n main valve in said fiuidmain between .sourcesl of pressure, said main valve being normally closed, and when opened, being moved out` side the main path of [low through said main, a path being provided around said valve for conducting the normal flow through said main, a meter in said path' for measuring the flow therethrourrh, a' valve governing the said path controlleilby said main vulve, said valve boing closed by said innin valve as said main valve opens, a second path being provided around said vahfe normally closed, a second valve in said Second path governing the flou' therethrough, controlled by said main valveI` und opened as said main valve'is opened, means where-` by the How of fluid through said second path is proportional to the flow through the main valve, and a proportional meter for measuring the flow through the second path.

n main valve controlling the flow therethrough, means creating a path around said main valve, the main being expanded at the intake of said path and being' contracted uniformly from the intake to the position of control `of the main valve aud a second valve in suoli path and means whereby said last named valve is controlled bv the main valve.

Q4. Tn a device of the class described the. combination of a fluid inain,-a main valve, and moans subjected to variations in pressure in said main influencing the operation of said main valve, said means opcrating to of'l'vr increasing resistance as the valve opens.

In testimony whereof, we hereunto uix our signatures in the renonce of two witnesses, this 23rd day op January 1012.

GEORGE GOODELIf EARL. ALBERT BALDWIN WOOD. W'itnesses:

C. Au'nmn BRnwN,

Ma'rms.

means creating a path around expanded to u."

described, the 

